Worknesh Degefa of Ethiopia crosses the finish line to win the 2019 Boston Marathon

Lawrence Cherono of Kenya won the men’s 2019 Boston Marathon in his debut, with a time of 2:07:59 on a day that started off with rainy conditions similar to last year but eventually brightened as the race went on.

Two-time winner Ethiopian, Lelisa Desisa (2:08:00) and Kenyan Kenneth Kipkemoi (2:08:06) finished second and third.

Cherono used a last-second kick to edge Desisa.

Ethiopia’s Worknesh Degefa, debuting in her first women’s Boston Marathon, ran a blistering early pace and then held off a chasing Edna Kiplagat of Kenya to win the women’s race with an unofficial time of 2:23:30 in just her fourth marathon.

The 28-year-old, who holds the Ethipian national record with a 2:17:41, entered the race having only run the relatively flat Dubai Marathon three times.

Kiplagat (2:24:14) came in second, with American Jordan Hasay (2:25:20) finishing in third place, same as in 2017.

Defending champ Des Linden came in fifth with an unofficial time of 2:27:00.

Mkarimu Media and News Agencies